Jul. 18, 2013

Jose Contreras says he can't afford to pay out state tuition for his sons. / David Jesse/Detroit Free Press

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Detroit Free Press Education Writer

Javier Contreras says requiring two years of middle school to qualify for instate tuition is too long. / David Jesse/Detroit Free Press

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Jose Contreras brought his family to the U.S. in search of a better life when his sons were young.

Equipped with only a middle school education, the father hoped his sons would become professionals. But despite living in Ann Arbor, his sons were facing out-of-state tuition rates to attend their hometown university.

“Not even in my dreams could I afford to pay for that,” he said.

Today, the University of Michigan Board of Regents agreed to offer in-state tuition for undocumented students who meet special criteria and all military — active, reserve and honorably discharged.

The measure passed on a 6-2 party line vote, with Republican Regents Andrew Richner and Andrea Fischer Newman voting no.

Richner said during the meeting he had questions about the legality of it. He left without comment.

After the meeting, Newman said, “I think this matter is best left to the federal government.”

Democratic Regent Mark Bernstein said undocumented students are asking the university for the same thing his family sought — to breathe life into their American dream.

“A century ago, I would have been an undocumented student, and I assume many of those sitting at this table as well,” he said.

The cost-savings for those students will be significant.

An average in-state student at U-M will pay $13,142 for tuition this coming school year. That more than triples, to $40,392, for out-of-state students.

The new policy says students qualify for in-state tuition if they attend a Michigan middle school for two years and a Michigan high school for at least three years before graduating, as long as they start their U-M education within 28 months of graduation.

Several speakers during today’s meeting favored the overall policy, but said requiring middle school attendance on top of high school was discriminatory.

Provost Martha Pollack said the university thinks requiring middle school mirrors federal law.

Each public university in the state sets its own policy on the matter. Most charge out-of-state tuition to undocumented students.

Western Michigan University offers in-state tuition rates with proof that the person lives in Michigan. Wayne State University doesn’t ask for citizenship documentation. Saginaw Valley State University allows its president to approve waivers and permit migrant workers’ children to pay in-state tuition.

The issue has been highly political.

Democrats, including President Barack Obama, have pushed for the passage of the DREAM Act, which would offer permanent resident status to undocumented high school graduates who enlist in the military or attend college. Many Republicans argue students who are in the U.S. illegally shouldn’t get the same perks as U.S. citizens.